The second half of Uber’s formal name – Uber Technologies – isn’t always mentioned when people refer to the ridesharing giant. But technology is very much in Uber’s DNA, from its app that revolutionized individual transportation worldwide, to its current testing of self-driving cars in Pittsburgh.

“Technology goes through the lifeblood of the company, whether it’s figuring out how to make a process more efficient, or how to make the platform safer and more secure,” says Dima Kovalev, Uber product manager.

Now, Uber is introducing Real-Time ID Check, an additional security feature that periodically prompts drivers to share a selfie with Uber before they go online to start accepting ride requests.

Real-Time ID Check uses Microsoft Cognitive Services intelligence to instantly compare the selfie to the photo corresponding with the driver’s photo on file. If the two photos don’t match, the driver’s account can be temporarily deactivated while Uber looks into the situation.

This feature prevents fraud and protects drivers’ accounts from being compromised. It also protects riders by building in another layer of accountability to the Uber app to let passengers know that the right person is behind the wheel.

The verification feature is an example “of a great use of technology to reinforce the security foundation of our platform,” Kovalev says.